From Dailymail · · 1m 50s
Plastic surgeon accused of murdering lawyer in his office bathroom makes shocking courtroom move ahead of trial
Plastic surgeon opts to represent himself in murder trial after lawyer's body never found.
In brief
Plastic surgeon opts to represent himself in murder trial after lawyer's body never found. Plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in Florida lawyer Steve Cozzi's disappearance and death in March 2023, and has chosen to represent himself in court. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Quick answers
- Who is Tomasz Kosowski?
- 47-year-old plastic surgeon accused of murdering Florida lawyer Steve Cozzi.
- What happened to Steve Cozzi?
- Cozzi disappeared from his law office on March 21, 2:00pm, 2023.
- Where did the murder occur?
- Communal bathroom at Cozzi's law office in Largo, Florida.
- What evidence was found?
- DNA from both Kosowski and Cozzi in bathroom, blood on Kosowski's truck.
- What did Kosowski do after the murder?
- Drove to law office, dragged wagon to truck, fled Tampa area.
Who is Tomasz Kosowski?
47-year-old plastic surgeon accused of murdering Florida lawyer Steve Cozzi.
“Dr Tomasz Kosowski, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in the march 2023 death of florida-based attorney steve cozzi”
What happened to Steve Cozzi?
Cozzi disappeared from his law office on March 21, 2:00pm, 2023.
“Cozzi, an attorney specializing in bankruptcy and commercial litigation at Blanchard Law, disappeared from his place of work on march 21, 2023”
Where did the murder occur?
Communal bathroom at Cozzi's law office in Largo, Florida.
“Prosecutors believe the 41-year-old was killed in a communal bathroom where the colleague found blood smeared on the wall, floor and toilet seat”
What evidence was found?
DNA from both Kosowski and Cozzi in bathroom, blood on Kosowski's truck.
“Forensics testing found a mixture of cozzi and kosowski's dna in the bathroom, the court heard. Investigators said they also found the lawyer's blood on the inside and outside of the surgeon's truck”
What did Kosowski do after the murder?
Drove to law office, dragged wagon to truck, fled Tampa area.
“After the truck arrived, a man matching kosowski's description entered the building, prosecutors said. The man then left the building two hours later dragging what appears to be a wagon to the back of the truck, the video showed”
What did Kosowski hide?
Murder bag with lighters, Taser, scissors, brass knuckles, and syringe.
“It was a black duffel and inside of it, amongst other things, but most notably, were lighters, a taser, scissors, brass knuckles, a crowbar, ski masks, a guy fawkes mask, a 3cc syringe needle and a vial of succinylcholine”
What is succinylcholine?
Paralytic drug used by anesthesiologists that weakens resistance.
“Succinylcholine is a paralytic used by anesthesiologists. Spadaro said investigators found evidence that kosowski had researched the drug”
Where was the body dumped?
Collier County landfill after dumpster was emptied.
“Investigators traced the path of kosowski's drive after the alleged murder and determined he stopped at a dumpster, spadaro said. The dumpster was later emptied at collier county landfill”
Why did Kosowski dismiss his lawyers?
To represent himself in court before trial.
“Kosowski dismissed his attorneys just five weeks before the trial was scheduled to begin and has instead opted to represent himself”
What is the charge?
First-degree murder of Steve Cozzi.
“Dr Tomasz Kosowski, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in the march 2023 death of florida-based attorney steve cozzi”
What is the potential punishment?
Death penalty if convicted.
“If convicted, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for kosowski”
What did Kosowski say about the death penalty?
Will not oppose capital punishment or ask for mercy.
“The surgeon has said that he will not be offering any opposition to capital punishment or asking the court to spare his life”
What did Kosowski claim?
Lawyer was killed in bathroom with blood on walls and floor.
“Prosecutors believe the 41-year-old was killed in a communal bathroom where the colleague found blood smeared on the wall, floor and toilet seat”
What did the court hear?
Kosowski tried to destroy evidence after arrest.
“He wiggled his handcuffed hands to his front, brought them to his face and started to suck on his fingers”
What did the court show?
Surveillance footage of Kosowski driving to law office.
“The court was shown surveillance footage that the prosecution says showed kosowski driving to the law firm on the day of cozzi's murder”
What is the next step?
Trial continues with Kosowski representing himself.
“Kosowski has dismissed his attorneys just five weeks before the trial was scheduled to begin and has instead opted to represent himself”
The essence
Plastic surgeon Tomasz Kosowski, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in Florida lawyer Steve Cozzi's disappearance and death in March 2023, and has chosen to represent himself in court.
